What Are Some of the Rules for Playing Bocce Ball?

Bocce rules state that each team has four players, each player throws two balls, the pallino must end up across the center line, a point is scored by being closest to the pallino, and 12 points wins. There are many other rules regarding throws, caroms and player positions.

Bocce is a versatile game that can be played with very few rules or with an extensive set of rules for leagues and tournaments. A bocce ball set consists of nine balls, with eight large balls and one small ball that is the pallino. Typically, the larger bocce balls have four balls each, in two different colors, to identify each team's balls. Tournament matches have an identified area of play surrounded by a foul line and divided by a center line. Backyard games can be played on an open lawn.

The pallino is thrown first, and the other players try to get their balls closer to it than their opponents do, in order to score points. The balls are thrown underhand, and it is acceptable to hit another player's ball or the pallino to move its position.

The game is an ancient sport, with the first known reference being in a painting from 5200 B.C. The image depicts two boys playing the game and was found in an ancient Egyptian tomb by English scientist Sir Francis Petrial.